Bay Area thrash metal legends TESTAMENT, have scanned 20,720 copies of their new album Dark Roots of Earth in its first week of sales in the United States according to Nielson Soundscan. The album debuted at No. 12 on the US Billboard Top 200 chart, making it their highest first week sales since the inception of Soundscan. This also marks the highest first week sales for a Nuclear Blast artist yet.

Commented the band:
“Thanks to the TESTAMENT legions for making us shine this first week. Horns up!” – Eric Peterson

“I want to express my eternal gratitude to everybody who supported the Dark Roots of Earth album and for making our hopes, dreams and hard work a reality. I am forever grateful.” – Chuck Billy

“It is with great pleasure that I share this honor with the TESTAMENT family and their legions of fans worldwide. The highest charting debut the band’s and label’s history! That is due not only you the fans, but also the extremely hard work by the worldwide offices of Nuclear Blast. Their efforts have paid off greatly and are most appreciated. Now that’s how you run a campaign.” – Gene Hoglan

“I’d like to give a big ‘thank you’ to all the people that helped bring this about. Thank you to everyone at Nuclear Blast, for all the hard work putting this campaign together. And definitely, a big thank you goes put to all the fans. You all made this possible. Cheers!” – Greg Christian

“Our first week chart activity, which includes a #12 Billboard debut, is the type of thing that has long seemed elusive to this band. But this time, thanks to a great team (our label, our management and of course, our awesome fans) it’s on. Thank you all!” – Alex Skolnick

Check out the music video for their new single “Native Blood” here: http://youtu.be/l5Ibm8mjSek. The song, whose lyrics are about vocalist Chuck Billy’s Native American heritage, was filmed at the Hopland Indian Reservation in Hopland, Calif. The clip was directed by Mike Sloat (MACHINE HEAD, STAIND).

TESTAMENT has also revealed several co-headlining tour dates with fellow American thrash metal greats, ANTHRAX, in support of the summer release. The September run will feature DEATH ANGEL in support, and is slated to kick off on Sept. 14thin Sacramento, Calif. A list of all confirmed dates can be seen below.